C
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
28%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Warwick Rhode Island National
Cost of living115114100
Goods & Services110110100
Groceries102102100
Health care101101100
Housing128124100
Transportation9999100
Utilities131131100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Warwick, RI

Understanding the cost of living in Warwick can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Warwick cost of living index is 115, which is 15% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

When it comes to the cost of living in Warwick, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 28.4% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Warwick?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 9 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Warwick. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 56% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 44% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Warwick Affordable?

Is Warwick an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Warwick, the median home price is 32% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 20.2% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Warwick come in at $111,068, which is 36.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Warwick?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Warwick, the transportation index is 0.7% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Warwick starts at 7% and the income tax rates start at 3.75%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Warwick, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Warwick is 1% higher than the Rhode Island average
  • The cost of living in Warwick is 15% higher than the national average
  • Warwick housing is 28% higher than the national average
  • Rhode Island general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Rhode Island state income tax is 44% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Warwick

See all the best places to live around Warwick

Compare Warwick, RI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$130,254$10,855$3,039$3,908
      Renters$60,120$5,010$1,403$1,804
      The affordability of the housing market in Warwick, RI as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Warwick homeowners, the median income is $130,254. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $3,039 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $60,120. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,403 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Rhode Island Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Rhode Island 7% 7%

      Rhode Island Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Rhode Island 3.75% 5.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Warwick National avg. Difference
      Haircut $34.50$27.6224.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.53$51.1118.4%
      Toothpaste $4.06$4.090.8%
      Shampoo $1.70$1.5410.2%
      Movie $16.39$12.8827.3%
      Yoga $24.00$19.6622.1%

      Groceries

      Item Warwick National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.45$7.703.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $4.79$4.731.2%
      Potatoes $5.11$5.262.8%
      Pizza $12.58$12.761.4%
      Beer $10.78$10.552.2%

      Health Care

      Item Warwick National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $118.58$140.0615.3%
      Doctor $175.33$153.8214.0%
      Dentist $117.56$123.154.5%
      Ibuprofen $12.05$11.732.7%
      Lipitor $21.98$23.616.9%

      Housing

      Item Warwick National avg. Difference
      Home Price $431,069.00$326,622.0032.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,220.26$2,480.2510.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,735.00$1,444.0020.2%

      Transportation

      Item Warwick National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.97$3.062.7%
      Tire Balancing $68.09$65.214.4%

      Utilities

      Item Warwick National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $327.71$220.1248.9%
      Phone $199.66$195.712.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Clayville, RI831099.3%
      Central Falls, RI20,1751065.7%
      Pawtucket, RI74,31111010.4%
      Providence, RI185,55411211.5%
      East Providence, RI48,84911313.0%
      Warwick, RI82,75011515.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pleasanton, CA82,910234134.4%
      Farmington Hills, MI82,92011313.2%
      Tustin, CA82,93018281.7%
      New Westminster, BC82,940n/a 
      Alameda, CA82,498211110.5%
      Warwick, RI82,75011515.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.